After his lecture, Prabhupada called for questions. An Indian man stood up and said in a loud voice, ''Isn't it true that the all-inclusive conception of the Absolute...'' He rambled on. After about three minutes, the audience began fidgeting.
Prabhupada leaned toward the microphone and asked, ''Are you finished?'' ''No,'' the man retorted, and he continued for another two minutes. Again Prabhupada asked, ''Are you finished yet?'' ''No, let me speak.'' His monologue of disjointed, spiritual-sounding phrases continued. After another three minutes, the audience began to wax angry. Prabhupada again gently spoke into the microphone, ''Are you finished yet?''
''Yes, now I am finished.'' Prabhupada thundered into the microphone, ''Then sit down!" The hall filled with laughter and cheering.
Had Prabhupada interrupted the man before he was able to ''ask'' his self-serving ''question,'' the audience would have favored the man. Prabhupada waited and allowed the man to parade his foolishness. When the audience had sufficient time to realize the man's motives, Prabhupada, with the full backing of the audience, demanded that the man sit down. Prabhupada was expert. (From "My Glorious Master," Pps. 167-8, by Bhurijana Dasa)
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
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